SPORT OF CYCLING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21921, 3 October 1934, Page 18

SPORT OF CYCLING

AMATEUR ROAD RACES FAST TIMES RECORDED CHAMPIONSHIP ON SATURDAY llidors last Saturday were provided with the final opportunity to race before the 100 miles Auckland provincial amateur championship, which will be held next Saturday. Naturally those who have been in strict training of late for tli.o big race were at a slight disadvantage in the shorter events, for distance riding has a distinct tendency to cultivate a slower type of pedalling. The Manukau Club, which commenced road racing activities in 1925, brought its 10th road season to a close with a 25 miles senior event. This 10 laps' race was particularly strenuous principally because of the fast pace set by the 2m group of four, P. R. Markham, K. N. Clark, S. J. Baird and D. T. Riddoll, who combined their pacing efforts perfectly. The three first-named filled the premier placing. During the past monLh Markham has displayed much improvement and, in addition to winning, registered the fastest time in 71m ss, one minute short of the course record held by J. R. Hall. Markham had never previously made fastest time. A fortnight ago he won the Cotter Cup race of 15 miles, off 3m. Gamble's Successes A long marker, C. Keefc, off 6m. wou the Auckland Club's 20 miles race after a hard finish with his co-marker, L. Moore. The pair paced out well. Keefe's previous placings were three thirds. For the fifth time this season M. T. Gamble was the fastest rider. His time of 56m 16s was the best 20 miles' times recorded on the'To Atatu course during the season. Gamble won two races early in the year and, with Patrick, should bo a strong representative of his club in the championship next Saturday. Four successive fastest times and two wins have been recorded by E. L. G. Hughes, scratch rider of the Lynndale Club during the past month. Last week ho won a 12j miles raco in the fast tune of 37m 25s for the hilly course. His 1934 season has been most successful and includes two wins, seven fattest times and the winning of his ciub's road championship title when he returned the club record time of 2h 7m 51s for the 40 miles' title race. At the invitation of the Beachhaven Club members of the Takapuna Club combined in a race of 20 miles over five laps of the difficult Birkdale course. J. H. Culpan, of the Beachhaven Club secured a double win, when lit finished first in the course record time of 59m 495, a reduction of lm 42s of B. Evan's record. G. Williams, of the Takapuna Club, who has come to the fore of late, rode we).l on the strange course to bo beaten by a length alter mutually pacing out the 20 miles with the winner. Three v-ius, three seconds, a third, and fastest time in two events are Culpan's successes this year. Dominion Honours In the absence of F. J. Grose, who is now in Victoria, Australia, the fastest time issue in the annual Round the Gorges road race decided last Saturday, near Christchurch, was fairly open. The race this year carried Dominion amateur road championship honours and the title was won by it. B. Blakeway, scr, in 4m 48m 445. Last year Grose was fastest rider in 4li 33m 265. Blakeway has displayed marked improvement throughout the present season. Last year in the annual Palmerston North to Wellington race of 102 miles he rode off 10m and was fifth fastest rider in 5h 16m 235. He finished in 20th place just behind J. Leather, 10m, the first Auckland rider placed. Last year the Auckland Amateur Cycling Centre introduced to local amateur cyclists a 100 miles race, and so successful was the event that it was decided to make it an annual fixture. The second annual race will be held next Saturday. Last year's entry oi 52 has been well eclipsed, for 74 have entered for Saturday's race. A. G. Patrick, of the Auckland Club, who won championship honours last year with a time of 5h 6m 335, will have J. Brown and L. H. Dwiglit to accompany him from the scratch maik this year. Brown has had much success over the past two seasons, but has not yet ridden a greater distance in competition than 46 miles.